Lava Lifeguards Keep Cool during Blistering Heat Wave

The record heat may be behind us but we were still forecasted to have another day with temperatures in the mid to upper 90s. Of course many of us made our way to the local pools. But what about people who can't jump in the water to stay cool?

Phil Campbell caught up with the lifeguards at Lava Hot Springs to see how they are coping with the blistering heat.

With the above average temperatures, a dip in the pool seems like a good break but what if a day at the pool is a day at work? Lifeguards are taking extra precautions now.

“You get breaks and so when you get on break you drink a lot of water,” said Justin Vieweg, Lava Hot Springs Lifeguard.

“Look for places with shade, drink a lot of water and I like to go swimming on my breaks,” said Ben Robinson, Lava Hot Springs Lifeguard. “It helps me to stay cool.”

The best way to get an answer is to walk a mile, or at least a lap, in their sandals and their job this week isn't just watching the water it’s watching the people around it as well.

The lifeguards have to make sure their own lives aren't in jeopardy and its one part common sense and one part company policy.

“We tried to keep the freezer stocked with popsicles so that when they get on break they can have a nice half a cup of icy water,” said Karen Homstad of the Lava Hot Springs Foundation. “The other tricks that I encourage them to do are to take a sip of water every time they walk by the drinking fountain and drink 16 ounces of water before they come to work.”

Update: Big Toys Arrive at Portneuf Kiddie Cove

The much anticipated Portneuf Kiddie Cove opened a few weeks ago but they were still waiting to install a few of the bigger toys.

Those toys arrived this week and workers are hopeful that they can get them in by the weekend. Some of the highlights include a kids slide, a giant water bucket and some spray nozzles.

The project was on the Lava Hot Spring Foundation’s wish list for at least five years. The self-funded state foundation has made a number of enhancements in the past decade. They hope that this will help Lava Hot Springs become even more of a year round draw for tourism.

Their next project will likely be an expanded parking lot near the hot pools.